Wheel or Tire with Illuminable Feature

ABSTRACT

Tire or wheel for use on a vehicle, machine, equipment, toy or the like. The tire or wheel has an illuminable feature including at least one optical fiber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tires and/or wheels with one or moreilluminable features. More specifically, the present invention relatesto tires and/or wheels including illuminable LED lights and/or opticalfibers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tires and wheels are well known and widely used for many differentpurposes, including use on or with motorized and non-motorized vehicles,equipment, machinery, tools, toys, etc. Historically, tires and wheelshave lacked certain functionality and aesthetic features, typically dueto the materials making up the wheels and tires, but also due to thepurposes for which the wheels and/or tires are intended to be used.However, it has been discovered that with the improvements in materials,electronics and light sources, it is now possible to provide tires andwheels with previously unavailable and unrecognized aesthetic andfunctional benefits. For example, it has been discovered thatilluminable features, such as lighting elements, can be incorporatedinto tires and wheels. Such illuminable features can be used to provideimproved aesthetics (e.g. visual patterns or characters created by theillumination feature), functional purposes (e.g. to help light an area,to indicate wear, to show movement, to identify characteristics of thewheel or tire, to indicate the need for service, to make the wheel ortire more visible and/or to provide other functional benefits), or forboth functional and aesthetic purposes.

As such, it would be desirable to provide a tire with an illuminablefeature. It would also be desirable to provide a tire including one ormore LED light sources. It would also be desirable to provide a tireincluding one or more optical fibers.

It would also be desirable to provide a wheel with an illuminablefeature. Further, it would be desirable to provide a wheel including oneor more LED light sources. It would also be desirable to provide a wheelincluding one or more optical fibers.

The invention disclosed herein may provide any one or more of thedescribed or other features and/or benefits and such features and/orbenefits may be provided separately or in any desired combination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a solution for one or more of thedeficiencies of the prior art as well as other benefits. Specifically,the present invention provides a tire for use on a vehicle, the tirehaving an illuminable feature and comprising: two sidewalls, eachsidewall having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and anouter surface; a shoulder region adjacent the distal end of eachsidewall; a contact region disposed between the shoulder regions; and anilluminable feature, the illuminable feature including at least oneoptical fiber.

The present invention also provides a wheel for use on a vehicle, thewheel having an illuminable feature and comprising: a central hub; asupport structure extending radially outwardly from the central hub to acircular rim, the rim having two outwardly extending walls, an innerwall and an outer wall separated by a rim central region; and anilluminable feature, the illuminable feature including at least oneoptical fiber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view of a lighting system.

FIG. 1A is a plan view of a controller in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of a tire in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is cross-section of the tire of FIG. 2 taken through 3-3.

FIG. 4 is cross-section of a portion of a tire in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is cross-section of a portion of a tire in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is plan view of a wheel in accordance with the present inventionwith a partial cut-away portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As noted herein, the present invention is directed to an illuminablefeature (or illumination feature), that is or can be incorporated into awheel or tire. The illumination feature can provide one or moreaesthetic and/or functional benefits, some of which are described inmore detail below. However, it should be understood that additionalaesthetic and functional benefits are contemplated, and the disclosureshould not be interpreted as limiting the invention to only thoseembodiments that are described. Also, it should be understood that theindividual elements described with respect to any particular embodimentare not intended to be limited to that particular embodiment and shouldbe considered fully disclosed with respect to other embodiments of theinvention that are described herein as well as any others that areobvious variations thereof. In addition, all elements disclosed hereinshould be considered disclosed in any combination with any otherelements and features described herein as well as obvious variations.

Definitions

The terms “optical fiber” and “fiber optic” as used herein refers to afilament made of glass or plastic that is capable of transmitting lightalong its length. Optical fibers can be used individually or in bundlessuch as cables. Suitable optical fibers include, but are not limited tosingle mode or multimode and can have any desired thickness and length.

The term “tire” as used herein refers to a ring or band of material,either solid or inflated, generally used in conjunction with a wheel orother rotating structure, to provide traction, resistance to wear, orother desirable properties to the rotating structure.

The term “wheel” as used herein is a circular object that generallyrevolves on an axle. Wheels are often used on vehicles to allow for easymovement over a surface and in machinery, equipment, toys and otherdevices to allow for rotational movement of an element. Wheels are oftendesigned to be at least partially surrounded by a tire which is intendedto contact a surface adjacent the wheel.

As noted herein, the present invention is directed generally to wheelsand tires that include one or more illuminable features. The illuminablefeatures preferably include at least one optical fiber capable oftransmitting light through its length. The illuminable feature may alsoinclude one or more a light sources that are operatively associated withthe one or more optical fibers. The light source can be configured tointroduce light to one end of the optical fiber such that the light istransmitted through the length of the optical fiber.

The wheels and tires of the present invention, or combinations thereof,can be used to provide aesthetic and functional features. For example,the illuminable feature can provide the wheel and/or tire with aestheticfeatures such as portions that are lit up. In one example the lit-upportion can provide purely decoration, such as lit up patterns on thetire and/or wheel. The lit-up portions can be random or can be in apredetermined pattern such as a graphic, etc. the lit-up portion canalso provide an aesthetic feature like a lit-up sidewall or portionthereof, lit up treads or lit up spokes of a wheel. Of course, these aremerely examples of the possible aesthetic uses for the present inventionand they should not be considered limiting in any way.

From a functional standpoint, the present invention can be used toprovide many desired characteristics for a wheel or tire. For example,the illuminable feature can be sued to show wear on a tire, as a tirepressure indicator, to indicate the need for tire rotation and/orreplacement, to help illuminate the road or other surface adjacent thetire or wheel, to help signal others of the location of a vehicle, tireor wheel, to indicate rotation or speed of rotation, and even to helpidentify the size, make, model or other information relevant to the tireor wheel. In one example the color of the illuminable feature changes asthe speed of the wheel increases or decreases. In another example, theilluminable feature turns off once the wheel or tire reaches a certainrotational speed.

Of course, the particular type of light source is not limited, but canbe chosen based on the particular desired use. In one example, a LEDlight source is used. LED lights can be used in conjunction with theoptical fibers and/or separately to provide the desired features of thepresent invention. LED lights are particularly desirable because theyare very energy efficient and can provide a range of colors andintensities.

One or more light sources can be used and the light sources can providethe same or different colors, intensity or duration of the light signal.Thus, the illuminable feature can provide a wide variety of aestheticand functional benefits, including one or more colors, changing colors,changing intensity, flashing, dimming, etc.

The one or more light sources can be operatively associated with acontroller. The controller can be used to control one or more aspects ofthe light source, including turning it on and off, changing the color,changing the intensity of the light, changing the duration of the light,flashing the light, timing the light, or any other desiredcharacteristic. The controller can be joined to the light source or canbe separate therefrom. If separate therefrom, the controller can bewirelessly connected to the light source via radio waves such as WiFi,IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, etc.; light, or any other wireless transmittingmedium. The controller can be a stand-alone apparatus or can be part ofanother structure or apparatus like a smart phone, a radio, a remotecontrol, or other structure or apparatus.

Any portion or element of the illuminable feature can be integral with,joined to or separate from the tire or wheel with which it isoperatively associated. For example, a tire of the present invention mayhave one or more optical fibers integrally formed into the tire, but thelight source is separately formed and joined to the tire and thecontroller may be un-joined and separate from the tire and other partsof the illuminable feature. In other embodiments, the illuminablefeature may be partly joined to or incorporated into both a wheel andtire or may be incorporated into several associated wheels and tires.For example, a single controller may control several light sourceslocated in different wheels and/or tires, or may control a single lightsource that is able to illuminate both a tire and a wheel, more than onetire, more than one wheel, or several tires and wheels.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate various features of the claimed invention. Thefigures are not intended to be limiting in any way, but rather toprovide examples of the present invention and/or different featuresthereof. Alternative combinations of features are contemplated as areembodiments not specifically shown in the figures.

FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view of an example of a lighting system 10that includes a fiber optic illuminable feature 12 of the type that canbe used in the present invention. Specifically, the illuminable feature12 includes a multiplicity of optical fibers 14. However, as notedherein, the illuminable feature 12 may include a single optical fiber 14or any number of optical fibers 14 or other illuminable features 12. Onealternative illuminable feature 12 is an LED light. The lighting system10 also includes a light source 16 operatively connected to one or moreof the optical fibers 14. Any number of light sources 16 can be used andsuch light sources 16 can be operatively connected to one or moreoptical fibers 14 or other illuminable features 12. The light source 16can be any suitable source of light, including lamps, LED lights, andthe like. In the embodiment shown, an LED light 18 is used to providelight to the optical fibers 14. The light source 16 may be chosen orconfigured to provide one or more different colors of light, have asingle or multiple intensities, be able to flash, dim, fade or otherwisechange as desired.

The lighting system 10 may include a power source 20 such as one or morebatteries 22, or may connectible to a source of power such as anexternal battery 22 or an alternative power source 20 like a powergenerator. Power generators can be of any type, and include, but are notlimited to solar, wind, rotational, friction, heat, etc. One type ofgenerator creates power based on the rotation of certain engine parts ofthe vehicle or machine. Another uses rotation of the wheel and/or tireto provide rotational energy that is converted into power to run thelighting system 10.

The lighting system 10 may also include a controller 24, an example ofwhich is shown in FIG. 1A. The controller 24 can be integral with one ormore other elements of the lighting system or can be separate therefrom.If separate therefrom, the controller 24 can be connected by wires ormay be wirelessly connected to the lighting system 10. The controller 24can be a separate device such as a handheld remote control or can beintegrated into another device or feature. For example, the controller24 can be an app for a smart phone or can be integrated into anotherdevice such as a radio, steering wheel or other control panel. Thecontroller 24 can be configured to interact with the lighting system 10.For example, it can be used to turn on and off the lighting system 10,to change the color of the light, to change the intensity of the light,to make the light flash or fade in and out, or to provide any otherdesired aesthetic or functional feature.

In exemplary embodiments, the controller 24 may obtain input from one ormore sources and then control the lighting system in accordance withpre-programmed instructions. For example, the controller 24 may receiveinput from a vehicle's computer and use that information to control thelighting system. Non-limiting examples include flashing to the beat ofmusic, changing color depending on the speed of the vehicle, flashing orturning on when a user unlocks the doors of the vehicle, and flashing inresponse to a panic button being pressed. The light source 16 mayinclude a receiver 26 to receive the signal of the controller 24.

The lighting system 10 can also include a microprocessor 25 to processinformation and/or signals it receives from one or more input devices.For example, the microprocessor 25 could receive input from anaccelerometer, a microphone, a WiFi receiving device, a timer, or otherdevices. The microprocessor 25 can be pre-programmed or can beprogrammed by the user.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of a tire 30 including features of thepresent invention. A cross-section of the tire 30 of FIG. 2 takenthrough section line 3-3 is shown in FIG. 3. The tire 30 shown in FIG. 2includes illuminable feature 12. As shown, the illuminable feature 12 isvisible on the outer surface 40 of the sidewall 32 of tire 30. In theembodiment shown, the illuminable feature is in the form of one or moreindicia 52, such as, for example letters. However, the indicia 52 mayalso be numbers, symbols, graphics, lines, curves, points, patterns,logos, or any other desired aesthetic or functional feature. One exampleis a ring such as the white ring of a whitewall on an automobile tire.Another example is the lettering of white letter tires. Yet anotherexample is an illuminable display disposed on the outer surface 40 ofthe tire 30 that can be illuminated by letters, numbers, graphics, etc.Such a display may have a predefined visual output or may beprogrammable and/or changeable by the user. The illuminable feature 12shown in FIG. 2 includes an optical fiber 14, but other illuminablefeatures 12 are contemplated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tire 30 includes two sidewalls 32 each having aproximal end 34 and a distal end 36. The tire has an inner surface 38and an outer surface 40. The tire also includes a shoulder 42 adjacentthe proximal end 34 of each sidewall 32. The shoulders 42 are separatedby a contact region 44. In the embodiment shown, the tire 30 includes atread 46 disposed on the outer surface 40 of the tire 30 in the contactregion 44. The tread 46 may include one or more protuberances 48 andsuch protuberances 48 may be separated by valleys 50. Whether a tread 46is used or not is optional and if a tread 46 is used, it can be of anytype or pattern. The optical fiber 14 of the illuminable feature 12 isshown in FIG. 3 as passing through the sidewall 32 from the innersurface 38 to the outer surface 40. However, this is just one exemplaryembodiment and others are contemplated and described herein.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a tire 30 of the present inventionincluding an illuminable feature 12 as part of a lighting system 10. Thelighting system shown includes a light source 16 and a power source 20.The light source 16 and power source 20 are disposed on the innersurface 38 of the tire 30. However, it is contemplated that the lightsource 16, power source, or both could be located on the outer surface40 of the tire, on a wheel, on a hub cap, or on any other part of thevehicle, equipment, machine et. to which the tire 30 is fit. The entirelighting system 10 or any components thereof can be integral with thetire 30. Alternatively, any or all components of the lighting system 10may be separate from the tire 30 and joined thereto by any suitablemeans. If they are joined thereto, the lighting system 10 or componentsthereof can be permanently joined thereto or they may be removabletherefrom.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section of an embodiment of the present invention inwhich the tire 30 includes a tread 46. The tread 46 includes amultiplicity of protuberances 48 separated by one or more valleys 50. Inthe embodiment shown, optical fibers 14 are located in one or more ofthe protuberances 48. The optical fiber(s) may extend fully through thetire 30 from the inner surface 38 through the entirety of theprotuberance 48. However, in a preferred embodiment, at least oneoptical fiber 14 extends only partly through the protuberance 48. Forexample, one or more optical fibers 14 can extend a predetermineddistance through one or more protuberances 48, such as, for example, apre-determined distance D from the outer-most surface of theprotuberance 48. The fiber optic 14 could also extend a predetermineddistance from the inner surface 38 of the tire 30, or extend to locationa predetermined distance from any other feature of the tire 30. Forexample, the fiber optic 14 could extend a predetermined height H fromthe valley 50 of the tread 46 adjacent the protuberance 48 or from theinner surface 38 of the tire 30. As such, the optical fiber 14 can beused to show when the tread 46 of the tire 30 has worn to apredetermined height H above the adjacent valley 50 or inner surface 38.This can be useful to help a user determine when it is time to check orreplace a tire due to tread wear. Such configurations can also be usedto provide information about when a tire 30 should be rotated orotherwise serviced.

FIG. 6 is a plan of a wheel 60 including the lighting system 10 of thepresent invention. As shown, the wheel 60 includes a hub 62 that can bejoined to or disposed about an axle, a support structure 64 extendingradially outwardly from the hub 62, and a circular rim 66. The hub 62can be any suitable structure, including one or more openings, one ormore shafts, and/or any other structure that can be used to associatethe wheel 60 with vehicle, machine or equipment with which it is used.The rim 66 has two outwardly extending walls, inner wall 68 and outerwall 70, separated by a rim central region 72. The wheel 60 alsoincludes an illuminable feature 10. The illuminable feature 12 shownincludes several optical fibers 14 extending through the outer wall 70of the wheel 60.

As noted with respect to the tire embodiments of the present invention,the wheel 60 may also include one or more components of a lightingsystem 10. For example, the wheel 60 may include one more light sources16, power sources 20, and controllers 24. The different components maybe integral with the wheel 60 or may be separate structures joinedthereto. As shown in the figure, the power source 20 and light source 16may be located on an inner surface of the wheel 60. However, it is alsopossible to locate different components of the lighting system indifferent locations on the wheel 60, including, the support structure 64or any part of the rim 66, including the rim central region 72, innerwall 68, or outer wall 70. The controller 34 can be integral with anyportion of the lighting system 10 or may be a separate structure that isjoined to any part of the wheel 60 or tire 30 or may be a stand-alonestructure that is not attached to any other structure or element.

As shown in FIG. 6, the wheel 60 includes two power sources 20 includingbatteries 22, however, any number of power sources and/or batteries 22can be used. The power sources 20 are each joined to a different lightsource 16. Each light source 16 is operatively associated with amultiplicity of optical fibers 14. In such configurations, the lightsources can be individually controlled or can be controlled by a singlecontroller 34.

The wheel 60 shown in FIG. 6, or any alternative configuration thereofcan be used with a standard tire or a tire 30 including one or moreilluminable features 12. If used with a tire 30 having an illuminablefeature 12, the wheel 60 and tire 30 may share a light source 16, powersource 20 and/or controller 24.

All of the features of the embodiments described with respect to thewheel 60 are also contemplated for the tire embodiments and all of thefeatures of the tire embodiments are contemplated for the wheelembodiments.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tire for use on a vehicle, the tire having anilluminable feature and comprising: two sidewalls, each sidewall havinga proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface; ashoulder region adjacent the distal end of each sidewall; a contactregion disposed between the shoulder regions; and an illuminablefeature, the illuminable feature including at least one optical fiber.2. The tire of claim 1 wherein the illuminable feature is integrallyformed into at least a portion of the tire.
 3. The tire of claim 1wherein the at least one optical fiber of the illuminable featureextends through at least a portion of the tire.
 4. The tire of claim 1wherein the illuminable feature includes two or more optical fibers. 5.The tire of claim 1 wherein the illuminable feature includes amultiplicity of optical fibers and the optical fibers are arranged suchthat they create a pattern on the sidewall of the tire.
 6. The tire ofclaim 5 wherein the pattern is selected from one or more of thefollowing: a ring extending around at least a portion of the sidewall, aletter, a logo, a number, a graphical design, and combinations thereof.7. The tire of claim 6 wherein at least one of the multiplicity ofoptical fibers is operatively associated with a light source such thatthe light source, when lit, can direct light through the operativelyassociated optical fiber.
 8. The tire of claim 7 wherein two or more ofthe multiplicity of optical fibers are operatively associated with twoor more different light sources such that the different light source,when lit, can direct light through the respective operatively associatedoptical fibers.
 9. The tire of claim 8 wherein the two or more differentlight sources are able to provide light of different intensity, color,and/or duration.
 10. The tire of claim 1 further including a treaddisposed in the contact region, the tread having protuberances andvalleys, and wherein at least one optical fiber extends a predetermineddistance through at least one protuberance such that when theprotuberance is worn down to a predetermined height, the optical fiberis exposed.
 11. The tire of claim 10, wherein the at least one opticalfibers is operatively associated with a light source such that the lightsource, when lit, can direct light through the operatively associatedoptical fiber, and exposure of the optical fiber is used to indicatewhen the tire should be replaced.
 12. The tire of claim 1 furtherincluding a tread disposed in the contact region, the tread havingprotuberances and valleys, and wherein a multiplicity of optical fibersare disposed in the tread at different locations.
 13. The tire of claim1 wherein the illuminable feature includes a light source operativelyassociated with the at least one optical fiber such that the lightsource, when lit, can direct light through the operatively associatedoptical fiber, a receiver to receive a signal from a controller, and acontroller that allows a user to control the illuminable feature. 14.The tire of claim 13 wherein the controller receives input from acomputer associated with a vehicle.
 15. The tire of claim 14 wherein thecontroller is a wireless controller and the the controller is not joinedto the tire.
 16. A wheel for use on a vehicle, the wheel having anilluminable feature and comprising: a central hub; a support structureextending radially outwardly from the central hub to a circular rim, therim having two outwardly extending walls, an inner wall and an outerwall separated by a rim central region; and an illuminable feature, theilluminable feature including at least one optical fiber.
 17. The wheelof claim 16 wherein the illuminable feature is integrally formed into atleast a portion of the wheel.
 18. The wheel of claim 16 wherein the atleast one optical fiber of the illuminable feature extends through atleast a portion of the wheel.
 19. The tire of claim 16 wherein theilluminable feature includes two or more optical fibers.
 20. The tire ofclaim 16 wherein the at least one of the at least one optical fibers isoperatively associated with a light source such that the light source,when lit, can direct light through the operatively associated opticalfiber.